Two highly-ranked unbeatens fell this week in the Globe’s Top 20 boys’ volleyball poll.
Natick traveled east to Newton North and delivered its Bay State Conference rival its first loss, and Needham rallied from down two sets to none to do the same to Milford.
As a result, the Rockets return to the top spot in this week’s Globe poll, as the team that was most competitive in their one loss between them, Natick, and Newton North follow in spots 2 and 3.
Methuen taking down BC High moves the Rangers into the top 10 for the first time. It has been a good showing for the best of the Merrimack Valley Conference; Methuen, Lowell, and Andover combine for an 11-0 record out of conference.
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BC High bounced back with a five-set victory over Milford. The Scarlet Hawks played 15 sets on the road in four days, just winning one of those matches. The tough competition could be good preparation for June, though.
Records based on scores reported to the Globe.
The Globe’s Top 20 boys’ volleyball poll
The Globe poll as of April 26, 2024. Teams were selected by the Globe sports staff.
| No. | Team | Record | Previous |
| 1. | Needham | 9-1-0 | 2 |
| 2. | Natick | 7-1-0 | 4 |
| 3. | Newton North | 6-1-0 | 1 |
| 4. | Winchester | 8-1-0 | 5 |
| 5. | Methuen | 9-0-0 | 12 |
| 6. | BC High | 7-2-0 | 7 |
| 7. | Milford | 7-2-0 | 3 |
| 8. | Brookline | 3-3-0 | 6 |
| 9. | Wayland | 5-2-0 | 8 |
| 10. | Lowell | 7-1-0 | 9 |
| 11. | Lexington | 6-3-0 | 10 |
| 12. | St. John’s (Shrewsbury) | 5-6-0 | 13 |
| 13. | St. John’s Prep | 6-3-0 | 11 |
| 14. | Andover | 8-2-0 | 14 |
| 15. | New Bedford | 8-0-0 | 17 |
| 16. | Lincoln-Sudbury | 4-2-0 | 15 |
| 17. | Greater New Bedford | 6-2-0 | 19 |
| 18. | Chelmsford | 6-3-0 | 18 |
| 19. | North Quincy | 4-5-0 | 20 |
| 20. | Cambridge | 3-6-0 | 16 |
AJ Traub can be reached at aj.traub@globe.com.